Metal-working machine



Oct. 28,` 1947. H. GKELLOGG METAL-WORKING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1945 2Is11eets-sret'-1 FIGJ.

ATTORNEYS Oct. 28, 1947. G, KELLOGG 2,429,821

METAL-WORKING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HOMER G1..KEL LOGG f' BY ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 28, 1947 2,429,821METAL-WORKING MACHINE Homer G. Kellogg, Highland Park, Mich., assignorto Motor Products Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of New YorkApplication July 23, 1945, Serial No. 606,561

12 Claims. l

This invention relates generally to work handling equipment and refersmore particularly to apparatus for producing rivets.

In general, the present invention has as one of its objects to provideapparatus for making rivets at a rapid rate from a strip of preformedstock by a stamping operation. More particularly, it is an object ofthis invention to periodically feed a substantially continuous length ofsheet metal stock through rivet forming equip-- ment having means forsimultaneously stamping a plurality of rivets from the stock during theintervals of rest of the latter.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the abovetype having rivet forming equipment comprising a punch movable in adirection toward a cooperating die assembly to punch rivets from thestock and having means responsive to movement of the punch unit foradvancing the rivets toa retainer which is removably attached to theapparatus to enablev the same to be readily detached when filled withthe proper number of rivets. In apparatus equipped with a die assemblyhaving a plurality of dies and with a punch unit having a correspondingnumber of punches, a separate retainer is associated with each punch toreceive the rivets formed by 'the latter. When these retainers areiilled with rivets, they may be simultaneously removed and assembledwith suitable riveting machines for supplying rivets to the latter.

The foregoing as Well as other objects will be made more apparent asthis description proceeds, especially when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic side elevation of a press having rivetforming means associated therewith;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of the rivetforming and conveying mechanism;

Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section showing the rivet retainerand the manner in which the latter is removably attached to theapparatus;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the punch unit and dieassembly showingthe punch unit in its raised position;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on the planeindicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing a plurality ofcooperating punch and die members;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the planeindicated by the line '1-1 of Figure 6; K Figure 8 is a perspective viewof one of the rivets; and

` Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the plane indicated by theline 9-9 of Figure 4.

In general, the reference character III indicates a strip of sheet metalstock of substantial length which has previously been rolled to aT-shaped cross section indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings. The stripoi stock I0 is fed step by step through a die assembly II and during theintervals of rest of the strip is punched by a punch unit I2 to form therivets I3. During successive punching operations, the rivets I3 areadvanced in superposed relation upwardly through the punch unit and areultimately ejected through the top of the latter. As the rivets areejected from the punch unit, they are introduced to tracks I4 and areguided by the latter into retainers I5. The retainers I5 are readilydetachably connected to the delivery ends of the tracks I4 so as toenable the same to be removed when filled with rivets and assembled Withsuitable automatic rivetingmachinery for supplying the rivets thereto.

The apparatus briefly described above is adapted to be used inconnection with a press I6 having a table I'I and having a platen I8movable toward and away from the table Il. The die assembly I I issupported in any suitable manner on the tableI'I and comprises aplurality of rivet forming dies I9 secured in juxtaposition to eachother by means of a pair of clamping plates 20. The Viront plate 2li isformed with a longitudinally extending key 2l, which engages in grooves22 formed in the corresponding sides of the dies I9 and servesto holdthe dies in proper relation to one another. Each die is formed with acavity 23 corresponding in cross section to the cross sectional contourof the strip of stock or rivet I3 and the cavities in adjacent dies are.in exact alignment With one another. The number of dies in the assemblyII may, of course, vary in dependence upon the number of rivets to bepro-A duced simultaneously. For the purpose of illustration, the dieassembly II comprises nine individual dies I9 with the result that ninerivets 'may be formed simultaneously from the strip of stock. The punchunit I2 comprises nine individual punches 24 held in assembled relationby means of the clamping plates 25 respectively positioned on oppositesides oi the punches 24. Each plate 25 is provided with a longitudinallyeXtendingkey for engagement in grooves 21 formed in the adjacent sidesof the punches for holding the latter in proper` position with respectto each other. The punch unit I2 is secured to the platen with theindividual punches 24 in vertical alignment with respective dies I 9.

As shown particularly in Figure 7 of the drawings, each punch 24comprises a pair of laterally spaced plates 29 held in proper spacedrelation to each other by means of spacers 30. The spacing betweenadjacent plates is predetermined to form vertical passages 3Irespectively aligned with the cavities 23 in the dies I9 to receive therivets I3. Suitable longitudinally extending projections 32 are formedon opposite sides of each plate 29 to provide ribs in the passages 3|.The ribs or projections 32 function during the operative strokes of thepunches to respectively form recesses 33 in opposite edges of the headportions on the rivets I3 and cooperate with the recesses subsequent tothe punching operations to guide the rivets in an upward directionthrough the passage 3 I.

'Ihe spacers 3l! are positioned between the plates 29 at the upper endsof the latter and the lower ends of the plates of each punch are adaptedto straddle the aligned die member I9. Suitable projections 34 areformed on opposite sides of each plate 29 at opposite longitudinal edgesof the latter and these projections slidably engage in recesses 35formed in opposite sides of the die members I9. The construction is suchas to provide for guiding the punches 24 during vertical movement of thelatter by the platen I8.

The bottom edge of each plate 29 between the projections 34 is formedwith a recess 36 and the bottom edge of the recess is fashioned with adepending projection 3'! aligned with the ribs 32 at opposite sides ofthe punch plates. The recesses 36 in the punch plates receive the stockIII at opposite sides of the die cavities 23 upon movement of thepunches 24 downwardly relative to the dies and the edges of the recessesserve to sever the stock at opposite sides of the dies I9 to providerivets I3 in the die cavities 23. The projections 3l! cooperate with theribs 32 to form the recesses 33 in opposite sides of the head portionsof the rivets and these recesses 33 subsequently engage the ribs 32 onthe punch plates 29 to guide the rivets I3. The lateral distance betweenadjacent punch plates, or in other words, the width of the passages 3iis such that the rivets are frictionally engaged by the plates, so thatwhen the punch unit I 2 is retracted from the die assembly, the rivetsare retained between the punch plates. The scrap resulting from thepunching operation drops out of the dies through the recesses 35,

It follows from the above that during successive punching operations,the rivets are moved upwardly in the punch passages 3l and assume thesuperposed relationship shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. In thisfigure of the drawings, the uppermost rivet I3 is illustrated as beingejected from the upper end of the punch into the track I4. It will, ofcourse, be understood that a track I4 is provided for each punch and,accordingly, nine tracks are shown in the drawings. Upon reference toFigure 9 of the drawings, it will be noted that the tracks arechannel-shaped in cross section and that the free edges of the sideflanges are bent, rolled or otherwise formed to extend inwardly. Theinwardly extending portions -are indicated in the drawings by thereference character 4Q and the portions 49 of each track respectivelyengage in the recesses 3 formed in opposite sides of the rivets.

- punching operations, the rivets I3 are not only advanced upwardlythrough the punch passages l3| but are also moved along the tracks I4.

Asithe rivets are discharged from the ends of the tracks I4, they arereceived by the retainers I5. Each retainer I5 comprises a length oftrack 4I similar in construction to the tracks I4 and having sockets 42welded or otherwise suitably secured to opposite sides thereof. Thesockets 42 respectively slidably receive pins 43 secured to oppositesides of the delivery end portion of each track I4. The number oi rivetretainers I5 corresponds to the number of tracks I4 and when the sockets42 are in assembled relation with the pins 43, the tracks 4I on theretainers are respectively aligned with the delivery ends of the tracksI4. The arrangement is such that the rivets I3 ejected from the tracksI4 are received by tracks 4I on the retainers. The retainers I5 remainin assembled relationship with the tracks until they are llled withrivets, whereupon the lled retainers are replaced with empty retainers.The filled retainers may then be readiiy transported to an automaticriveting machine for supplying rivets to the latter.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, a die having a cavity forreceiving a strip of stock, means coacting with the die to punch partsfrom the stock including a punch having a passage for receiving thelparts and having means for slidably supporting the parts in superposedrelation in the passage whereby preceding parts are advanced along thepassage by succeeding parts during the punching operation, and means forcollecting the parts ejected from the punch passage.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a die` having a cavity forreceiving a strip of stock, a punch successively movable toward and awayfrom the die to punch parts from thel stock, a vertical passage throughthe punch for receiving the parts, and means for slidably supporting thev parts in superposed position in the passage whereby preceding partsare advanced through the passage by succeeding parts in response tomovement of the punch toward the die.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a die having a cavity forreceiving a strip of stock, a punch successively movable toward and awayfrom the die to punch rivets from the stock, a vertical passage throughthe punch for receiving the rivets, means for slidably supporting therivets in superposed position in the passage whereby preceding rivetsare advanced through the passage by succeeding rivets in response tomovement of the punch toward the die, a removable retainer for therivets, and means for directing the rivets ejected from the passage tothe retainer.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a die having a cavity forreceiving a strip of stock, a punch successively movable toward and awayfrom the die to punch rivets from the stock, a vertical passage throughthe punch for receiving the rivets, means for slidably supporting therivets in superposed position in the passage whereby preceding rivetsare advanced through the passage by succeeding rivets in response tomovement of the punch toward the die, a track for receiving the rivetsejected from the delivery end of the passage, and a retainer having alength of track registering with the delivery end of the iirst track andremovable from the latter.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a die having a cavity forreceiving a strip of stock, means coacting with the die to punch rivetsfrom the stock including a punch having means. for forming grooves inopposite sides of the rivets and having a vertical passage therethroughfor receiving the rivets as the latter are punched from the stock, andvertical ribs projecting inwardly from opposite sides of the passage andengageable with the grooves in opposite sides of the rivets to guide thelatter in superposed relation through the passage.

9. In apparatus of the class described, a, die having a, cavity forreceiving a strip of stock, a punch successively movable toward and awayfrom the die to punch rivets from the stock, a vertical passage throughthe punch for receiving the rivets, a. track movable with the punch andhaving the entrant end registering with the upper end of the passage, aretainer removably connected to the delivery'end of the track forreceiving rivets discharged from the latter, and means for slidablysupporting the rivets in superposed position in th'e'passage wherebypreceding rivets are advanced through the passage, along the track andinto engagement with the retainer by succeeding rivets during eachpunching operation.

10. In apparatus of the class described, a die unit comprising aplurality of dies supported in 6. In apparatus of the class described, adie" having a cavity for receiving a strip of stock, means coacting withthe die t0 punch rivets from the stock including a punch having meansfor forming grooves in opposite sides o the rivets and having a verticalpassage therethrough for receiving the rivets asthe latter are punchedfrom the stock, means for slidably supporting the rivets in superposedrelation in the passage whereby preceding rivets are advanced throughthe passage by succeeding rivets during the punching operation, saidrivet supporting means comprising vertical ribs projecting inwardly fromopposite sides of the passage and engageable in the grooves in oppositesides of said rivets, and a track for receiving the rivets ejected fromthev passage and having opposed'inwardly extending anges for engagementin the grooves at opposite sides of the rivets.

7. In apparatus of the class described, a die having a cavity forreceiving a strip of stock, a punch successively movable toward and awayfrom the die to punch rivets from the stock with grooves in oppositesides thereof, a vertical passage through the punch for receiving therivets,

,means for slidably supporting the rivets in superposed position in thepassage whereby preceding rivets are advanced through th passage bysucceeding rivets in response to movement of the punch toward said die,said last named means comprising ribs extending inwardly from oppositewalls of the passage and engageable in the grooves at opposite sides ofthe rivets, a track positioned to receive the rivets ejected from thepassage and having opposed inwardly extending iianges respectivelyengageable in the grooves at opposite sides of the rivets, and aremovable retainer for collecting the rivets discharged from said track.

8. In apparatus of the class described, a die having a cavity forreceiving a strip of stock, a K

punch successively movable toward and away from the die to punch rivetsfrom the stock, a vertical passage through the punch for receiving therivets, a track having the entrant end registering with the upper end ofthe passage, and means for slidably supporting the rivets in superposedposition in the passage'whereby preceding rivets are advanced throughthe passage and along said track by succeeding rivets in response tomovement of the punch toward said die.

juxtaposition and adapted to receive a strip of stock, a correspondingnumber of punches movable in directions toward and away from the dies tosimultaneously punch a plurality of rivets from the stock, a verticalpassage through each punch for receiving the rivets formed by thelatter,rand means for slidably supporting the rivets in superposedposition in said passages whereby preceding rivets are advanced alongthe passages by the succeeding rivets during each punching operation.

11. In apparatus of the class described, a die unit comprising aplurality of dies supported in juxtaposition and adapted to receive astrip of stock, a corresponding number of punches movable in directionstoward and away from the dies v porting the rivets in superposedposition in the passages whereby preceding rivets in the passages areadvanced by the succeeding rivets through the passages, along the tracksand into engagement with the retainers.

12. In apparatus of the class described, a die having a cavity throughwhich an elongated length of stock is fed, a punch successively movabletoward and away from the die in timed relation to the movement of thestock to punch parts from the stock, means for cooling the parts as theyare formed and for supporting the parts in a stack whereby precedingparts are advanced by succeeding parts during each punching operation,and a removable retainer positioned to receive the' parts and havingmeans for slidably supporting said` parts in juxtaposition to each otherlengthwise of the retainer.

HOMER G. KELLOGG.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Novick Apr. 5,1932

